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Geek Culture / System Backups

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heyufool1
16
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Joined: 14th Feb 2009
Location: My quiet place
Posted: 6th Oct 2011 21:30
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Hello! I just replaced my primary small hard drive with a new 1TB hard drive and used a system image to restore the computer. All went well, but now that I have about 500gb of data on my primary hard drive, it takes too long to do a system image and a full backup.

So, basically I have two questions:

1. Should I do a full backup or a system image if I want to backup all of my data (Programs, misc. data, drivers, etc.), using Windows 7?
2. Would creating a weekly 500gb system image cause any damage to either of my hard drives? (The primary or the backup)

Thanks!

"So hold your head up high and know. It's not the end of the road"
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IanM
Retired Moderator
22
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Joined: 11th Sep 2002
Location: In my moon base
Posted: 6th Oct 2011 22:41
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One full backup (which would be refreshed whenever you make a large change to the system), plus a daily or weekly differential backup (not incremental, unless you want to build up a history of your backups).

The problem that you'll have is that you won't be able to keep your existing full backup while you are creating your new backup, unless you also compress at the same time - that leaves a small window of opportunity for a system failure to lose some or all of your data.

Personally, I just have a system restore disk, a list of the applications that I use, and then daily backup of \User, my source control area, and any other area where I may place data.

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MrValentine
AGK Backer
14
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Joined: 5th Dec 2010
Playing: FFVII
Posted: 8th Oct 2011 06:27 Edited at: 8th Oct 2011 06:28
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kind of what IanM said, I simply perform fresh installs on a regular basis [yes licences are irritating] but it means you could simply archive your data without using an image, if you so wish you could encrypt your drive... DO NOT FORGET THAT PASSWORD!!!

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heyufool1
16
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Joined: 14th Feb 2009
Location: My quiet place
Posted: 8th Oct 2011 17:41
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Thanks for the input, I think I got my backup routine to be as efficient as possible now

"So hold your head up high and know. It's not the end of the road"
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